Lung Transplantation

Can a Lung Donor Have Interstitial Pneumonia?

05/11/2007

Question:

My mom is a 64y old woman sufferin from interstitial lymph penomonia, and autoimmune resorce for the past 9 years. She is under treatment with prednisolon and cyclophosphamid. I have severe dyspenea. The doctors say that my pulmonary artery pressure is 80 mmhg. Can I be a candidate for lung trasplant?

Answer:

Advanced lung disease resulting from the interstitial pneumonia is one of the leading indications for lung transplantation. Most lung transplant centers will consider performing a single lung transplant for patients having this disease up until approximately age 65. However, if the interstitial pneumonia is further complicated by the development of pulmonary hypertension (abnormally elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries) then double lung transplantation is often the preferred procedure. If double lung transplantation is necessary, most transplant centers will offer this procedure to those patients up until an approximate age of 55.

As with all patients being considered for lung transplantation, prior to being placed on an organ waiting list, a thorough medical evaluation is performed to assure that the patient is in otherwise good health and can tolerate the rigors of the transplant procedure.

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